Tops
Criticized for its price deemed excessive (32 million euros) and its lack of efficiency last year, Vitinha launched his season perfectly against Reims. Directly subjected to big competition with the arrivals of Aubameyang and Iliman Ndiaye, the Portuguese responded in the best possible way to his coach and the public on the ground. Combative in the first period, the Olympian center-forward combined well with his wingers to bring danger to the Reims goals. In the second half, well served by Sarr, he scored the decisive goal for OM. What if this season was his?
If there is a rookie who shows up, it is Ismaïla Sarr. First on the bench at the start of the match to breathe before playing again against Panathinaikos on Tuesday, the Senegalese entered earlier than expected in the second half to replace the injured kid François Régis Mughe. From his first shots, the former Rennais made differences to blast the Marseille attack thanks to his speed and technique. Sarr was decisive by delivering a superb millimeter assist to his partner Vitinha.
Very strong during the first half, he literally carried OM at the start of the match. Untenable in the heart of the game and on his left wing, the Moroccan distributed the caviars and oriented the majority of OM’s offensives. The former SCO Angers player was rewarded by scoring a superb goal with a curling shot from the right. If there were any skeptics, Ounahi showed that he had his place this year in the 11 holders.
Flops
Wracked by injuries and upset by the many movements in the transfer window, Will Still has lined up a completely new team for this start to the championship. Despite the lack of automation, the Rémois were dangerous in the first half to the point of racing in the lead. But the Stade de Reims lacked realism to drive the point home and was logically punished. Much less dangerous in the second half, Yehvann Diouf’s teammates saw OM pass in front and remained powerless.
Even if Marseille took three points at home, Marcelino’s men are far from reassuring before receiving Panathinaikos on Tuesday. Much too lax, the Phocaeans let Ito open the scoring at the start of the match. Despite a quick comeback, OM proved to be very sufficient defensively and often panicked in their area.
